CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BALL RECIPE BY TASTY

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Recipe by Tasty image

Provided by Betsy Carter

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 oz goat cheese, room temperature
¾ cup shelled pistachios, chopped
½ cup dried cranberries, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 sprig fresh rosemary, about 1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
⅓ cup freeze dried chives
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1 star-shaped cheese cracker
White Cheddar and Chive Cracker, or crackers of choice, for serving
Crudité, for serving

Steps:

In a large bowl, mix together the goat cheese, pistachios, dried cranberries, orange zest, rosemary, maple syrup, salt, and pepper with a rubber spatula until well-combined. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before assembling. The cheese mixture can be made up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate until ready to assemble and serve.
To assemble, transfer the cheese mixture to a serving platter and, using gloved hands greased with nonstick spray, mold the mixture into a cone shape.
Using dry hands, gently press the freeze-dried chives onto the cheese cone to adhere, making sure to coat the entire surface.
Insert pine nuts into the cone in the pattern of a garland. Dot the "tree" with more dried cranberries for "ornaments". Top with the star-shaped cracker.
Serve with more crackers and crudités.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 calories, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 15 grams, Sugar 6 grams